It's great when games are released in an episodic format. this ensures that content can be released frequently, at a fairly steady pace. Additionally, many resources such as character models, weather effects, etc. can be reused, contributing to cheaper, shorter development time. It really is a win-win situation for both publisher and consumer, as consumers are often eager to begin the next installment of one their favourite series. A perfect example of episodic gaming is the half-li... LOLWUT? oh shi-

My oh my, what is this? A Valve game has been delayed from its intended release? The sky must be blood-red, the seas must be boiling, for the apocalypse is surely upon us! What's next? Will Blizzard fail to lock down a release date for Diablo III? Will Nintendo announce a new title featuring Mario? Will Hideo Kojima's next game be a confusing, philosophical mess?! This is a strange and bizarre new world we find ourselves in!

Ok that did tickle me, and also quite accurately portrayed how alot of us are undoubtedly feeling.

I do hope all these long production times are not the result of left for dead and team fortress updates, I'm bored of them and I can't take any more people complaining about episode 3.

VALVE ANNOUNCES MAKING GAMES IS HARD"Also, the game will be even better," they added, missing an historic opportunity to create the first product delay press release to mention that a product is being delayed to make it worse.

I'm still laughing at this. I hate the fans, but Valve are awesome.

Maybe they should do the press releases for companies that get their games out (kinda) on time? They'd be unstoppable!

Assassin Xaero:I honestly would rather see a game delayed then see it released full of bugs and glitches... Oh, and I'm still betting their "surprise" to replace this at E3 is still going to be L4D3... >_>

They just said the surprise is Portal related...In big bold letters too.

And there we go. Good job, Valve, again you live up to my expectations by delaying the only one of your upcoming games I'd possibly be interested in and throwing the collective hope of all your die-hard fans into a giant demon-possessed blender. If you'd expected your somewhat funny press release would distract us from your inhuman incompetence in regard to time management, rest assured that you have failed. Hard.

I do not mind at all. As long as they're using the time to make sure that the game is pitch-perfect in almost every single way, then I don't care how long it takes. If it means that Portal 2 will reach perfection, then so be it.

Valve is probaly the only company that can destroy all life on earth with their press releases and yes, they have the most awesomesauce releases. Or it's just 'cause I love Gabe. Probaly a little bit of both.

Yes, I know I'm not entitled to anything. I know Valve creates amazing games and they should have as much time as they need to finish them. I know they're really trying to make Portal into something wildly popular--but my frustration continues to mount as chances to reveal another Half-Life game fly by them like a missed view between the trees. /poetic

So essentially, I'm totally okay with Portal 2 being pushed back. It'll be all the better for it. What really cheeses me off is the apparent lack of Half-Life news, still. I feel a burning desire to bang my head against my desk until my face is pounded flat and my hair is bleeding. DAMN YOU, VALVE TIME!

Okay, so let me get this straight; Valve first confirms that Portal 2 WON'T be at E3, but instead will be replaced by a surprise. Fans then email Gabe Newell about the Half-Life 2 Ep. 3 image and what the surprise could be, and Gabe confirms that the image is fake and the surprise ISN'T HL2 Ep. 3. Then, as of today, Valve/Aperture Science announces that Portal is delayed into 2011 and also that the surprise planned for E3 is Portal related...

Assassin Xaero:I honestly would rather see a game delayed then see it released full of bugs and glitches... Oh, and I'm still betting their "surprise" to replace this at E3 is still going to be L4D3... >_>

They just said the surprise is Portal related...In big bold letters too.

You know, it would make sense to delay Portal 2 for a new Source engine, and IF Portal 2 were using a new Source engine, then a booth showing off "something Portal-related" that isn't Portal 2 could be a new Source engine.

My oh my, what is this? A Valve game has been delayed from its intended release? The sky must be blood-red, the seas must be boiling, for the apocalypse is surely upon us! What's next? Will Blizzard fail to lock down a release date for Diablo III? Will Nintendo announce a new title featuring Mario? Will Hideo Kojima's next game be a confusing, philosophical mess?! This is a strange and bizarre new world we find ourselves in!

Erm, I got a bit distracted there. Sorry about that.

... I love you.

OT: Well, no reeeeal surprises here. Valve doesn't seem to be too great at reeling out games particularly quickly [9 years for TF2, anyone?].